The STI Epidemic

Introduction

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are skyrocketing in Canada, especially among youth. More than half of all infectious disease cases reported are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and those reports account for only an estimated 10% of all cases. The health effects of STIs, including infertility, can be significant and long-lasting, and the cost of treatment is a major drain on health resources. Young people are disproportionately represented in the affected population, with the highest rates among young women between the ages of 15-24.

• Many cases of infection have no symptoms and go undetected until serious physical damage has already occurred.4

• Chlamydia infection rates have more than doubled in the past decade.5

- 48% of infectious disease reports are Chlamydia infections

- Chlamydia is the leading preventable cause of infertility

- 2/3 of the victims are young women ages 15-24

• Gonorrhea rates have risen by more than 132% in the past decade and the disease is rapidly becoming immune to antibiotics.6

• Syphilis infections have risen by 900% in the past five years.7

• HPV and herpes simplex virus infections are considered “highly prevalent” infections in Canada. It is estimated that as many as 75% of sexually active men and women will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. HPV causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.8

• HIV infection rates are estimated at between 2,300 – 4,500 cases per year with an estimated 58,000 cases in Canada (2005 figures), of which 27% are undiagnosed. Individuals already infected with an STI are significantly more susceptible to HIV infection.9

• Condoms do not protect against oral or external-genital transmission of infection, and condom effectiveness depends on careful and consistent use. Studies have repeatedly shown that most people, particularly youth, do not use condoms consistently, or at all, despite education.10,11